Being mentally healthy. Have you ever thought about what it really means?

Putting aside the common “labels” of depression, anxiety,Bipolar, etc., being mentally healthy is really everything. It's feeling energetic, confident and connected to the people you love. It's having a clear mind, feeling motivated and able to make decisions. The quality of your mental health defines your life. It's the glue of your relationships. And it enables you to cope with life's inevitable challenges and losses.

Nobody is completely mentally healthy. And no one is totally mentally unhealthy. We all have aspects of our mental health which could improve. We can feel more confident, connected, clear minded and happy. Does this mean that everyone needs to see a psychiatrist? Of course not. But many people come to a point in their lives when they feel so frightened, overwhelmed or “beaten down” that they can't function well or enjoy life. This is when professional help is needed.

After a careful and thorough assessment I will recommend a broad range of effective treatment options including medication, if needed.

Developed in the context of a trusting, confidential and caring relationship, the treatment I recommend can dramatically diminish, and sometimes eliminate, the pain you or your family member feels. At the same time I will do everything I can to identify and strengthen those aspects of you that are mentally healthy.

As a medical doctor trained in the specialty of psychiatry I am able to diagnose and treat a broad range of psychiatric disorders in adults. But as a mental health professional I like to see myself as a specialist in the promotion of what fundamentally makes life a wonderful and fulfilling experience-being mentally healthy!